You know, Buffy for me is the type of show that I have no interest in whatsoever anymore. I loved it growing up (well, up to season 3 really, though I do think Hush from season 4 is brilliant), but I have zero interest in re-watching it. Part of it is that to me the memory went sour because Whedon ruined both it and Angel past the first couple of seasons. The other part is that I have a real distaste for Whedon and his ego. He fancies himself a lot of things he isn't (his stuff isn't as clever as he thinks; his dialogue is easily recognizable and I mean that in a pretentious, self-consciously "clever", cringe-worthy, clunky, had-to-be-written-by-Whedon sort of way; he laughably thinks he's a feminist) and his shows are hideously overrated, especially considering how many have actually been any good. He just loves to cram angst down viewers' throats because as he put it, he gives people what they need and not what they want. Well, I don't want your shows, you egotistical twit.

Originally Posted by Saria

Y'know what, I've been enjoying Buffy but I also agree with nearly all of this. I wonder if I'll be able to finish all...how many seasons are there? and still enjoy it. I absolutely agree about the dialogue, which pains me and causes me to do a lot of rewrites in my head, though it also leads to some silly-writing-makes-plain-silly-comment-over-the-top-hilarious. I think I've blocked out any examples other than the overuse of "___ girl/guy" and even the slang I remember people using being applied to way too many situations (Look, if you were genuinely frightened and you're somberly informing someone of this, this is not a case in which you say that something "gave [you] the wig(gins)."), but there are much more egregious examples to be had.

And the feminist thing - THANK YOU. I've only watched this and Dr. Horrible of his, which I thought was cute with good songs, but I recall reading that his whole thing with this show was, "Why does the blonde chick always get murdered? I'm gonna make her badass." And then I watched it, and there was rampant failing of the Bechdel test and WTF is it with Buffy, and now Willow, sucking on a damn lollipop? Major side-eye to that. Also, in one episode where a werewolf was savaging people and they had self defense in PE, I recall Willow telling Buffy that she was "supposed to be a meek little girly girl, like the rest of us." Um, okay, you are such a good feminist, Joss.

Seven seasons. Oh, just wait till you get to season six. Then you'll really see how he killed any hope of feminism. And you haven't even seen his other shows and how badly portrayed a lot of his female characters are!
There are seven seasons. Lots of people love season 5. I was bored after season 3. I even think Once More With Feeling (the musical episode) is terribly overrated.

Saria, if what you say is true, I may be ranting up a storm in here in a few weeks. I'm almost looking forward to it just so I'll know what you're talking about, ROFL! And I kinda feel like the musical episode of anything is always a little cringe-worthy, but I still want to see that one just for Anthony Stewart Head's singing. I loved him in Repo! The Genetic Opera.

When "Phantom of the Opera" or the Overture start, I swoon. Ohhh, those gorgeous minor keys. I should re-listen to Evanescence's "Imaginary," because I have some sort of inkling that it did the same thing...

Ugh. HOW many times will Buffy lash out at Angel or have no reaction to a present he gave her (WTF is wrong with you, Buffy) and then proceed to say, "I'm sorry, it's just ____."?!?! The sentence ALWAYS starts that way, and it has happened so many times, it's like their ritual or something. Mr. Whedon, this is a stupid ritual. Stop it.

Someone please kill Faith. She has been nothing but annoying since she got introduced and you kinda forgot to give us a reason to see in her what Buffy does. Did you bring her in just so I'd forget everything Buffy does wrong? Because I don't, I just really want someone to come and kill Faith.

I'm cracking up at wild_sasparilla's Buffy impressions. I actually liked her over on Angel at least, and she did make for a really good episode on season 4 of Buffy.

Medussa, salt and acid. If you don't have enough of those two things, they'll have that overly earthy taste. Once you get that balance, beets get much sweeter. You might also go for golden beets, which have a milder flavor. Beets are earthy, so legends has a point, but when they're seasoned well it's not an unpleasant earthiness.
I'm reminded of Suzanne Goin's intro to her beet salad with fried chickpeas, Nyons olives, and ricotta salata:Cookstr - Roasted Beet Salad with Fried Chickpeas, Nyons Olives, and Ricotta Salata

But they're also great in a simpler salad with just basil, orange segments, and pine nuts. Lemon and olive oil to dress.
Or rubbed with a spice mix and charred on the grill, served over Greek yogurt with walnut and basil pesto.

Byron,GA> Charleston, SC> Jacksonville, FL> Guilford, CT> Rohnert Park, CA! A southern drawl in sunny Cali! . The amount of time from slipping on the peel and landing on the pavement is exactly one bananosecond.I do have a secret yen for pink in unexpected places. ~ninja dogI've decided that I'll never get down to my original weight, and I'm OK with that--After all, 8 pounds 2 oz. is just not realistic.

Saria, normally I bow to your greater culinary knowledge and drool over your recipes and suggestions, but may I just point out that "broccoli" is Italian for "unmitigated evil," and that the vegetable itself is actually lethally poisonous and should not be consumed under any circumstances?

This is the honest truth and the sooner the world realizes it, the sooner we can rid the world of this green menace. Small children everywhere will thank me.

Originally Posted by fig jam

And George H. W. Bush. He hates broccoli too.

Yep. But even just quickly stir-fried broccoli with sliced garlic. Or sautéed with chili flakes and garlic (and anchovies).

Originally Posted by Saria

That sounds good. I like anchovies.

No MAS.

I am the new Black.

"Hope the Mail are saving space tomorrow for Samantha Brick's reaction piece on the reactions to her piece about the reactions to her piece." ~ Tweet reposted by Rou.